Unsatisfied with Willis book.

I picked up the book that Gary Willis wrote, Fingerboard Harmony For Bass. It didn't really teach me what I wanted to know and now I don't really need it. Anyone have any ideas as to what I should do with it? It was more . . . .theory, which isn't necessarily bad, it just wasn't what I was wanting to study.

What I was looking for was a book that explained WHY jazz chord structures go where they do. The theory behind what leads to the typical jazz sound. This book seemed somewhat 'elementary'. I bought it thinking that it would describe the 'when', 'where', and 'why' of what Gary Willis does on many of the songs I've heard him play, especially his improve bass solo work.

Gary's book is intended to help you develop a thorough knowledge of the fretboard.

If it's theory behind jazz music that you want, take a look at 'The Jazz Theory Book' by Mark Levine.

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Thank you, David. I will check that book out!

By the way, if someone would like to have this Willis book of mine, and would like to help out Talkbass.com, send me a Paypal for about $22 (that should cover their fees, hopefully), and I will send it to talkbass.com for support.

Gary's book is intended to help you develop a thorough knowledge of the fretboard.

If it's theory behind jazz music that you want, take a look at 'The Jazz Theory Book' by Mark Levine.

Click to expand...

Great suggestion. As long as you have basic theory knowledge than this is a great book (I own it myself).

I was on the same quest a short while ago as you are now. I went to a very gifted guitar player who teaches at Berklee (Tim Miller, BEAUTIFUL cat!). He gave me the best advice I've ever heard. I've heard it before but it just became apparent to me in that moment. What I needed most for my playing and my chord knowledge was to simply start transcribing. Whatever catches my ear I transcribe. I got a great computer programo to slow it down and now it's a breeze. I'm learning more about note choices and chords than I've ever gotten from any book or teacher. I think both are important but transcribing puts it all together, for me at least.

The computer program that I picked up is the Studio version of Sound Forge. It goes for $70 and is indespensible.